From Mountains to Coast

TRIP DOSSIER From Mountains to Coast CORSICA • Explore from the heart of Corsica to the west coast on foot • Take a dip in refreshing rock pools and ...
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TRIP DOSSIER

From Mountains to Coast CORSICA • Explore from the heart of Corsica to the west coast on foot • Take a dip in refreshing rock pools and mountain streams • Boat trip along the spectacular west coast and les Calanques

Self-Guided Departures Walking Grade: B/C – Moderate/Demanding

Trip Code: TCCM For dates and prices visit www.walksworldwide.com

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01962 737 565

Date of issue: 02 March 2016

CORSICA

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From Mountains to Coast

Introduction Corsica - ‘the island in the sea’, an island of sunshine and beauty. This tour is an opportunity to enjoy every aspect of the island and to bathe in the perfumes, colours and contrasting landscapes that earns Corsica its deserved reputation. Starting in Corte, crossing the region of the Niolu Valley in the heart of the island, you are completely encircled by the highest mountain summits, including Paglia Orba and Cinto, which dominate the skyline. Walking through pine forests, along tumbling torrents and pools, remote villages, chestnut forests and gorges you make you way west to arrive in the magnificent Gulf of Porto where the majestic and rose hued mountains plunge abruptly into the sea.

Important Note Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your “Final Joining Instructions” approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. Before booking you should read our “Types of Trip” and “Essential and Useful information” sections on www.walksworldwide.com including our ‘Important Warning’.

Your holiday Life on trek During the walk you stay overnight in the best hotels available in the villages, whilst your main baggage is transported by vehicle between accommodations for the days that you are walking. You therefore only have to carry your usual day- pack during each walking day.

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Walking conditions The terrain can be rocky on the mountain trails and your footwear must have good grip vibram soles. The walking times each day vary from between 5-7+hrs. The ascents and descents are constant, with between 200m-900m in a day. The effective walking time (indicated at the end of each day in the itinerary) is an idea of how long it will take you, although walking speeds vary greatly. The estimations do not take into account time for stops en route. The weather in the middle of summer will be warm, if not, hot during the middle of the day. At the same time when walking in the mountains the temperatures are cooler and a good water-proof is essential. Spring temperatures are cooler. Basically you should be prepared for most conditions! Whilst the infamous GR20 runs North-South along the centre of the island, this trail starts in the centre, near Corte and you walk west towards the most spectacular part of the island’s coastline. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our brochure or online at www.walksworldwide.com. You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip.

Self-Guided Holiday As the name suggests, self-guided holidays are for those that prefer to be independent. Within reason you are able to dictate your own schedule, as well as walk at your own pace with the aid of route notes and maps. All your accommodation has been reserved in advance and unless otherwise stated within this trip dossier, your main baggage is transferred between each accommodation along the way, so there’s no need to worry about carrying heavy loads and having to back pack. This means you only need to walk each day and carry your usual lightweight daypack. However, it is important that you are entirely comfortable with being independent whilst on a walking holiday. For detailed information as to what a self-guided holiday entails please read the self-guided walking holidays section at Types of Trip section on our website www.walksworldwide.com before booking your selfguided walking holiday.

01962 737 565

Date of issue: 02 March 2016

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From Mountains to Coast

Route Notes- Help keep them up to date Things can and do change along the routes that selfguided walking holidays follow. A sign may have been changed, or even removed, a path may have been obstructed, even re-routed, a landmark the route notes refer to may simply no longer exist. It is clearly impossible to keep track of all the changes that may occur outside the local tour operators control and knowledge. It may be the route notes translation can be improved (they are translated into several languages by the local operator after all) too. Clearly a case of “last person to walk the route” has the most up to date information. In the spirit of camaraderie amongst walkers and in an effort to constantly keep route notes updated and improved upon, we always welcome notification of any changes along the way and recommendations for improvement if you would care to forward any useful and specific information to them.

herds in and out of the Niolu valley. It winds incredibly through a décor of granite cliffs, along a superb balcony path to the Erco Genoese Bridge, then runs alongside a chestnut grove that is still exploited. You then descend into the village of Calacuccia. Make sure you buy a picnic before heading to your hotel. Calacuccia is one of the small villages that are dotted around the central lake of this area. Ascent: 700m / Descent 340m Walking Duration: 5 hrs / 13 km Hotel: Hotel Acqua Viva, 3 star hotel (breakfast & dinner)

Day 3 Waterfalls of Radule

Detailed itinerary

This is a challenging and beautiful day of walking to the Verghio forest. You leave the Mare a Mare North to reach the Radule waterfall and shepherd houses. You will then follow part of the infamous GR20 path. Enjoy the views, as you walk to your hotel for the night. There are numerous bathing possibilities in natural pools en route, to cool off and relax by.

Day 1 Arrive Corte

Ascent: 900m / descent 554m

See ‘How to join and depart this trip’ section later in this Trip Dossier). The first day is relaxed allowing you time to explore the citadelle of Corte perched high upon a rocky crag, a defiant spectacle of Corsican patriotism. Visit the Museu di a Corsica, which charts the fascinating and turbulent history of the island, as well as spend time wandering about the many shops, cafes and bars. Your dinner is not included so feel free to choose from one of the many restaurants. Hotel du Nord, 3 star hotel (breakfast)

Day 2 Travel through the valleys to Calacuccia After a short transfer from Corte, the island’s old capital, before taking the beautiful road into the Niolu ‘La Scala di Santa Regina’. The Niolu valley is the widest valley on the island and is the very core of traditional Corsica. Its people have a mountain culture and retain a nationalistic pride in their country. The Scala Santa Regina valley trail is of great historical importance as it was used in the past by the shepherds leading their www.walksworldwide.com

Walking Duration 7h30+ hrs / 18 km Castel di Vergio, comfortable mountain hotel (breakfast & dinner)

Day 4 Cross the Col de Vergio to Evisa This morning you will cross the famous ‘Col de Vergio’ one of the highest mountain road passes on the island at 1477m. It is marked with a forbidding statue and marks the division between northern and southern Corsica. You will enjoy the superb views of the lake and the Niolu area that you have left behind you. The trail leads downhill into the majestic Aitone pine forest and the outskirts of Evisa village. Paths wind through the maquis past the piscine naturelle, a local swimming spot and into the chestnut woods. The chestnut trees mark your approach to the village; their thick knarled trunks are around two thousand years old. You emerge in the centre of Evisa, a picturesque, vibrant village, situated at 830 metres - it is unusually close to the sea for a village at this height. It is known locally as the ‘Pearl of the Mountains’.

01962 737 565

Date of issue: 02 March 2016

CORSICA

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From Mountains to Coast

Ascent: 80m Descent: 720m Walking Duration 5 hrs / 11.5 km Hotel L’Aitone, 2 star hotel with swimming pool (breakfast & dinner)

Day 5 Walk through the Spelunca Gorge From Evisa you drop down through the Spelunca Gorge on the path as it zigzags back and forth. You follow the torrent to a Genoese bridge where you walk up towards the village of Ota. Situated at 300 metres Ota is a village that marries mountain architecture with a hot Mediterranean climate and flora. Braying donkeys, hunting dogs, Bougainvillaea, lemon trees and figs all add to the colour! Why not have a short break at a café terrace and take in the view of the succession of high mountains ahead of you? This afternoon, your route heads swiftly down to the coast, the view towards the Gulf of Porto is a kaleidoscope of colour, red cliffs, shockingly blue sea and the bold silhouette of the Genoese tower. The vegetation is again different from previous walks; you will find all types of plants associated with the heat and sun of the Mediterranean. Ascent: 320m Descent: 1,450m Walking Duration 6 hrs / 14 km Hotel le Belvedere 3 star (breakfast & dinner)

Day 6 Optional boat trip then walk to Piana During this rest day in Porto, you may choose to spend your morning enjoying some of the sea activities. When the sea is calm there are regular boat trips towards the natural reserve of Scandola or Capu Rossu. This part of the coastline is classed by UNESCO as a site of world beauty. This is the most famous part of the coastline and the wild natural beauty is spectacular. You may also spot dolphins from here. It is also possible to explore on your own around Porto with snorkel and mask and for the more adventurous there are scuba diving excursions available from the harbour. Your hike takes the coastal trail leading you inland to Piana. Leaving Porto you cross over a bridge to walk along a beach bordered by a eucalyptus wood. The path you follow gives amazing views of the sea, as well as, splendid views of the gulf with its indented rugged www.walksworldwide.com

coastline and many creeks. The vegetation is a haze of colour and heady fragrances; depending on the season you will find island lavender, myrtle, delicate pale pink cistus flowers, juniper, foxgloves, the tall white asphodels and cyclamen. Once in the ‘Calanques’ you will find yourself surrounded by an incredible site of granite needles, tortured shapes and rock sculpted formations dotted with maritime pine trees. You will walk along the coastline before climbing up inland toward the famous pink granite sea cliffs, the Calanches de Piana. The views are quite fantastic. You will carry on walking towards the delightful sleepy village of Piana, which is classed amongst the ‘Plus beaux villages de France.’ Ascent: 520m Descent: 70m Walking Duration 5 hrs / 11km (Porto to Piana) Hotel les Roches Rouges – A charming hotel dating from 1912. The dining room is listed for historical interest. (breakfast)

Day 7 Travel to Ajaccio Travel to Ajaccio by bus. In the months from September to June there is only one bus a day. This departs at 08:20hrs and arrives at 10:30hrs. During July and August there a second bus in the afternoon departing at 14:30hrs arriving Ajaccio 16:15hrs. Please note that timings are subject to change, so please check with our local operator or www.corsicabus.org and check again at the bus stop or station for any new information. On arrival at Ajaccio bus station, it is a short walk to your hotel. Free time to relax and explore Ajaccio, the birth place of Napoleon. Wander through the Old Town and mingle with the locals in the market, filled with pungent aromas and vivid colours of olives, herbs and spices including lavender, fig, myrtle, rosemary and the famous Corsican sausage. Sit back and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants. For a departure from Calvi, we will organise a short taxi to Porto where you take the bus to Calvi for your last night. Should you be travelling back from Bastia, we will organise an early morning taxi from Calvi to Bastia airport. Hotel (breakfast)

Day 8 Depart Ajaccio Your holiday comes to end after breakfast. It is a short taxi journey to the airport.

01962 737 565

Date of issue: 02 March 2016

CORSICA

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From Mountains to Coast Local transport

Practical Information How to join and depart this trip The joining point for this trip is Ajaccio Airport, there is an organised taxi transfer from Ajaccio Airport to Ajaccio train station. The driver will be holding a board with your name on it. You then take the train from Ajaccio to Corte (ticket price not included).On arrival you will be met by taxi at the train station and taken on a short transfer to the hotel in Corte on day 1 of the above itinerary. Corte is accessible by train and bus from Ajaccio and Bastia, the main airports. Please see the information regarding trains: http://www.corsicabus.org On day 7, from Piana, a bus can be taken directly to Ajaccio: http://www.corsicabus.org/. You will then have to make your way to your hotel, short walk. Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast, the last day.

Flight Inclusive We recommend that you book this trip as a 'Flight Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights through Walks Worldwide guarantees you peace of mind and provides 100% financial protection under our CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will manage these flight arrangements both before and during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares with most major airlines from the UK (as displayed on our website), as well as the option of regional departures too.

Land Only If you would prefer to arrange your own international travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package, where the price does not include international flights. Please note that if you are booking your own flights there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and often do not provide you with any financial protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and check the limitations under any insurance policy you may have in relation to cancellation or date changes. We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or consequences of any flight bookings or related travel arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your international flights were delayed or cancelled and you could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you do not book international flights or make other travel arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making your own international travel arrangements that they enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this trip section of this Trip Dossier.

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Taxi transfers are included from the Airport to train station. You then take the train from to Corte. You will be met at Corte Train Station and driven to the hotel in Corte. On day 2 - A taxi will collect you from the hotel in Corte to take you to the trail head. This taxi may be shared with other people undertaking this holiday from other tour operators on this particular day. On day 6 you should travel by public bus from Piana to Ajaccio (bus tickets not included in trip price), please take your luggage with you. Your main baggage is transferred between each overnight accommodation by private vehicle for the days that you are walking (days 2-5). Please note local bus and train tickets are not included in the price of the tour. For up to date schedules please refer to http://www.corsicabus.org

Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin/double share basis unless you have already requested a single room. Accommodation is based on two, 2 star hotels and three, 3 star hotels. You are able to upgrade in Corte to 4 star accommodation if you wish. Porto and Ajaccio (4 nights) a supplement is applicable, please speak to your travel consultant for more details.

Food Meals included are indicated in the outline itinerary. Packed/picnic lunches can either be purchased from your overnight accommodation or from the villages that you pass through during your days walk. Drinks and other refreshments are not included. Breakfast normally consists of tea, coffee, bread and jam whilst the evening meal, where included, are generally 3 courses. As snacks etc are not included, we advise you to bring a selection of sweet snacks, dried fruit, cereal bars etc to provide extra energy along the way. Water can be purchased en-route or is plentiful in mountain springs and is generally safe to drink, but you may like to take iodine tablets to purify your drinking water. Iodine is preferable to chlorine as a water steriliser, and a supply of powdered fruit juice would be a useful luxury to take away the taste of the sterilising medium.

Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather periods for walking. The summer temperatures at sea level average 20-25oC but can frequently reach 30oC. Generally temperature decreases by 2oC for every 300 metres of ascent particularly when the warm Corsican sun goes down, leading to cold, clear nights. Rainfall in the summer is rare but spectacular thunderstorms are not uncommon. Snowfall is heavy in the winter with snow often persisting in the mountains until late spring. Mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised weather conditions, so you should always be prepared for inclement weather conditions. For climate statistics visit www.worldweather.org

01962 737 565

Date of issue: 02 March 2016

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From Mountains to Coast Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200-metre increase in altitude.

Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a normal suitcase (one piece max per person) can be used for your main baggage.

Vaccinations & health We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit.No vaccinations are necessary and health problems in Corsica are quite rare. A useful travel health www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

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Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office – you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor.

First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium).

Security Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience anything untoward it is worth taking precautions particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and keep clear of any street disturbances. Don’t wear jewellery, or leave your bags unattended, keep large amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves, together with details of credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where practicable.

Maps We recommend Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk.

Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are nonrefundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call us on 01962 737 565 for a quotation

Passports & Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders) do not require a visa for entry into France. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity upon your return. You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as book your visa either by contacting your reservation consultant, or by following the link below to our designated visa service: http://www.walksworldwide.com/information/visa.html

Budgeting for your trip Please refer to the detailed itinerary for information on what is included in this trip. You will need to budget for meals and drinks not included in the holiday, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry.

Clothing & Equipment Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding packing for your trip. The information we provide is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your trip.

Currency The currency in Corsica is the Euro. Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates. ATM machines are common in larger urban areas.

Language French, Corsican (strong similarities to Italian)Not everyone in Corsica speaks English. Take a phrase/translation book with you.

Tipping Tipping is not compulsory but should be used as a way of showing your appreciation for services given.

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01962 737 565

Date of issue: 02 March 2016